WIXOSS

WIXOSS^[a] is a Japanese multimedia franchise produced as a collaboration between Takara Tomy, J.C.Staff, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Japan. The franchise revolves around the eponymous trading card game and follows girls known as Selectors who battle against each other in order to have their wishes granted. The trading card game is developed by Hobby Japan and published by Takara Tomy and was released in Japan in April 2014 and in English in November 2021. The lead designer is Shouta Yasooka.^[6]

WIXOSS
Promotional image for the selector infected WIXOSS anime series, featuring Ruko (front), Tama (on card), Chiyori, Hitoe, Yuzuki, Akira, and Iona (back, left to right).
Genre	Dark fantasy^[1] Psychological thriller^[2] Science fiction^[3]
Created by	LRIG: Takara Tomy Warner Bros. Japan J.C.Staff
Anime television series
selector infected WIXOSS
Directed by	Takuya Satō
Written by	Mari Okada
Music by	Maiko Iuchi
Studio	J.C.Staff
Licensed by	NA: Funimation UK: Anime Limited
Original network	MBS, Tokyo MX, TVA, AT-X, BS11
Original run	April 3, 2014 – June 19, 2014
Episodes	12 (List of episodes)
Further information Manga selector infected WIXOSS -peeping analyze- Written by Mari Okada Illustrated by Manatsu Suzuki Published by Shueisha Magazine Ultra Jump Demographic Seinen Original run July 19, 2014 – May 19, 2015 Volumes 2 Manga selector infected WIXOSS -Re/Verse- Written by Mari Okada Illustrated by Meki Meki Published by Square Enix Magazine Monthly Big Gangan Demographic Seinen Original run August 25, 2014 – October 24, 2015 Volumes 2 Anime television series selector spread WIXOSS Directed by Takuya Satō Written by Mari Okada Music by Maiko Iuchi Studio J.C.Staff Licensed by NA: Funimation Original network MBS, Tokyo MX, TVA, AT-X, BS11 Original run October 4, 2014 – December 20, 2014 Episodes 12 (List of episodes) Anime film selector destructed WIXOSS Directed by Takuya Satō Written by Mari Okada Music by Maiko Iuchi Studio J.C.Staff Released February 13, 2016 Runtime 91 minutes^[4] Anime television series Lostorage incited WIXOSS Directed by Katsushi Sakurabi Produced by Tomo Yamaguchi Jun Fukuda Yuichiro Siji Written by Michihiro Tsuchiya Music by Maiko Iuchi Studio J.C.Staff Licensed by NA: Crunchyroll^[5] Original network BS11, Tokyo MX, KBS, SUN, TV Asahi Channel 1 Original run October 7, 2016 – December 23, 2016 Episodes 12 (List of episodes) Original video animation Lostorage conflated WIXOSS -missing link- Directed by Risako Yoshida Written by Michihiro Tsuchiya Studio J.C.Staff Released December 14, 2017 Anime television series Lostorage conflated WIXOSS Directed by Risako Yoshida Written by Michihiro Tsuchiya Music by Maiko Iuchi Studio J.C.Staff Licensed by NA: Crunchyroll Original network Tokyo MX, BS11 Original run April 6, 2018 – June 22, 2018 Episodes 12 (List of episodes) Anime television series WIXOSS Diva(A)Live Directed by Masato Matsune Written by Tsuyoshi Tamai Music by Maiko Iuchi Studio J.C.Staff Licensed by NA: Crunchyroll Original network Tokyo MX, BS11 Original run January 9, 2021 – March 27, 2021 Episodes 12 (List of episodes)

An anime television series by J.C.Staff, titled selector infected WIXOSS, aired in Japan between April and June 2014, with a second season, selector spread WIXOSS, airing between October and December 2014. A compilation film, titled selector destructed WIXOSS, was released on February 13, 2016. A sequel anime television series, titled Lostorage incited WIXOSS, aired from October to December 2016, with its second season, Lostorage conflated WIXOSS, airing from April to June 2018. Another anime television series, titled WIXOSS Diva(A)Live, aired from January to March 2021. Several manga spin-offs, a novelisation, and a smartphone app have also been produced.

Premise

See also: List of WIXOSS characters

WIXOSS is a trading card game in which players battle against each other with fighters known as LRIGs (ルリグ, Rurigu, "girl" spelled backwards), using cards to support them. Certain LRIGs are able to communicate with their owners, and the girls chosen to wield them are known as "Selectors" (セレクター, Serekutā). Selectors are given the chance to have any wish granted by winning battles against other Selectors, but should they lose three times, their wish will be reversed into a curse instead.

The main selector anime series follows a girl named Ruko Kominato, who becomes a Selector after receiving an LRIG that she names Tama. As she and various other Selectors battle it out for the sake of their wish, Ruko finds herself drawn into the dark, sinister world of WIXOSS, discovering that, win or lose, there is always a price to pay.^[7]

In the Lostorage, set following the events of selector, Suzuko Homura, a girl who had just returned to her hometown, finds herself drawn into new kind of Selector battle alongside her LRIG Riru. In these battles, which now include male Selectors, players must wager coins representing their memories, and should they lose them all, they will lose all of their memories and effectively disappear.

In WIXOSS Diva(A)Live, which is set in a different universe from the previous two series, WIXOSS battles take place in a virtual world, in which players become Divas and battle in teams of three against other Divas. Hirana Asu forms the team No Limit alongside Rei Sakigake and Akino Onko and aspires to rise to the ranks of Top Diva.

Media

Anime

See also: List of WIXOSS episodes

selector infected WIXOSS, produced by J.C.Staff, is directed by Takuya Satō and written by Mari Okada, with character designs by Kyuta Sakai and music by Maiko Iuchi of I've Sound. The first season aired on MBS between April 3 and June 19, 2014, and was simulcast by Funimation in North America^[8] and Crunchyroll in other territories outside Japan.^[9] The opening theme is "killy killy JOKER" by Kanon Wakeshima^[10] and the ending theme is "realize -Yume no Matsu Basho-" (realize -夢の待つ場所-, realize -Where Our Dreams Are Waiting-) by Cyua. A second season, title selector spread WIXOSS aired between in October 4 and December 20, 2014. The opening theme is "world's end, girl's rondo" by Wakeshima, whilst the ending theme is "Undo -Ashita e no Kioku-" (Undo -明日への記憶-, Undo -A Memory For Tomorrow) by Cyua. An animated film, selector destructed WIXOSS, was released in Japanese theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 13, 2016.^[11]

A new anime project featuring new characters, titled Lostorage incited WIXOSS, aired from October 7 to December 23, 2016, and was simulcast by Crunchyroll.^[12] Katsushi Sakurabi is directing the new anime, with Michihiro Tsuchiya writing the scripts, Takamitsu Satou designing the characters, Maiko Iuchi composing the music, and J.C.Staff returning to produce the animation.^[13] The opening theme is "Lostorage" by Yuka Iguchi while the ending theme is "undeletable" by Cyua. Another season, Lostorage conflated WIXOSS^[14] aired from April 6 to June 22, 2018. The first episode was released as an original video animation bundled with the SP-32 Selector Collection trading card set on December 14, 2017. The opening theme is "Unlock" by Iguchi while the ending theme is "I" by Cyua.^[15][16][17]

A new television series was announced on March 26, 2020, which was originally set to premiere in 2020.^[18] Titled WIXOSS Diva(A)Live, it aired from January 9 to March 27, 2021.^[19] Masato Matsune is directing the new anime, with Gō Tamai writing the scripts, Ui Shigure designing the characters, Maiko Iuchi composing the music, and J.C.Staff returning to produce the animation.^[20] Crunchyroll licensed the series.^[21]

An animated PV celebrating the original anime's 10th anniversary, titled selector loth WIXOSS, was released on YouTube on April 26, 2024.^[22]

Manga

Four manga spin-off series, written by Okada, are being produced. selector infected WIXOSS -peeping analyze-, illustrated by Manatsu Suzuki, was serialized in Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine between July 19, 2014, and May 19, 2015. selector infected WIXOSS: Maya no Oheya (selector infected WIXOSS 〜まゆのおへや〜, selector infected WIXOSS: Maya's Room), illustrated by Nini, began serialization in Ultra Jump from August 2014. selector infected WIXOSS -Re/Verse-, illustrated by Meki Meki, was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine between August 25, 2014 and October 24, 2015. selector stirred WIXOSS, illustrated by Monaco Sena, began publication in Hobby Japan's WIXOSS Magazine from April 25, 2015.^[23]

Trading Card Game

A card game titled "WIXOSS" by Takara Tomy has started on April 26, 2014.^[24] On July 13, 2021, Takara Tomy announced that an English version of the game would begin release from November 2021, beginning with the Interlude Diva set based on the WIXOSS Diva(A)Live anime series. Interlude Diva set Released November 6, 2021. Diva Debut Decks and Glowing Diva set released December 17, 2021.^[25] Changing Diva set WxDi P02 releases March 18, 2022.^[26]

Other media

A novel written by Madoka Madoka and illustrated by Meiji, titled WIXOSS: Twin Wing, was released in Japan on September 30, 2015.^[27] A smartphone game, selector battle with WIXOSS, was released in Japan for Android and iOS on March 31, 2015, and June 8, 2015, respectively.^[28] A HTML5 game, titled WIXOSS Multiverse, was launched on the G123 game platform in 2022.^[29]

Notes

1. Short for "Wish Across". Phonetically read in Japanese as Wikurosu (Japanese: ウィクロス).

References

1. Stevens, Josh A. (April 19, 2015). "WIXOSS Theatrical Film Receives Greenlight". Anime UK News. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
2. Eisenbeis, Richard (March 10, 2015). "Suffering, Card Battles, Little Girls, and More Suffering". Kotaku. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
3. "Selector". Funimation. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
4. "劇場版 selector destructed WIXOSS (2016)". allcinema (in Japanese). Retrieved March 21, 2016.
5. "Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2017 Anime Lineup". Crunchyroll. January 20, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
6. "Tomy Company, LTD. Unveils 'Wixoss' TCG English Edition".
7. Anime: Selector Infected WIXOSS
8. "Funimation Streams Selector Infected Wixoss Anime". Anime News Network. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
9. "Crunchyroll to Stream Selector Infected Wixoss, Mushishi: The Next Chapter Anime". Anime News Network. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
10. "Steins;Gate's Satō, anohana's Okada Make selector infected WIXOSS Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
11. "WIXOSS Film's Title, February 13 Date, Visual Unveiled". Anime News Network. July 17, 2015.
12. "New Lostorage incited WIXOSS Anime to Air This Fall". Anime News Network. 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
13. "New WIXOSS TV Anime's Teaser Video Reveals Cast, Staff, Story". Anime News Network. August 7, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
14. "Takara Tomy's WIXOSS Franchise Teases New Project". Anime News Network. December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
15. "Lostorage conflated WIXOSS Anime Project Revealed as December OVA, 2018 TV Series". Anime News Network. August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
16. "Lostorage conflated WIXOSS TV Anime Reveals Visual, Spring 2018 Premiere". Anime News Network. December 17, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
17. "Lostorage conflated WIXOSS Anime's Promo Video Reveals April 6 Premiere". Anime News Network. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
18. "Wixoss Franchise Gets New TV Anime in 2020". Anime News Network. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
19. "Wixoss Diva(A)Live Anime Reveals Promo Video, January 8 Debut, 4 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
20. "New Wixoss TV Anime Unveils Teaser, Title, Cast, Staff, Story, January Delay". Anime News Network. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
21. "FINAL UPDATE: Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2021 Anime Lineup! (1/5)". Crunchyroll. January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
22. "WIXOSS Anime Streams Promotional Video Set 10 Years Later".
23. "Selector Infected Wixoss Card-Game Anime Gets 2 Spinoff Manga". Anime News Network. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
24. "Card Game official website". Takara Tomy. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
25. "How to Play Wixoss Trading Card Game". Wixoss USA. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
26. "WIXOSS-ウィクロス- | TOMY Company, Ltd". WIXOSS-ウィクロス- | TOMY Company, Ltd. (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-02-10.
27. 円 まどか (著). WIXOSS-TWIN WING- (ホビージャパンMOOK 614) | 円 まどか |本 | 通販. ASIN 4798609196.
28. . Archived from the original on 2016-02-09. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
29. "'WIXOSS Multiverse' is Now Live on G123". Anime News Network. June 29, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2023.

External links

• Anime official website (in Japanese)
• Lostorage incited WIXOSS anime official website (in Japanese)
• WIXOSS Diva(A)Live anime official website (in Japanese)
• Trading card game official website (in Japanese)
• selector infected WIXOSS (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• selector spread WIXOSS (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• selector destructed WIXOSS (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Lostorage incited WIXOSS (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Lostorage conflated WIXOSS -missing link- (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Lostorage conflated WIXOSS (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• WIXOSS Diva(A)Live (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• How to Play Wixoss Trading Card Game in English at The Anime Blog